When Pumla Molope’s mother, Nosipho, decided to study her CA(SA) after having completed her science degree (and while raising a family), she did more than simply open her daughter’s eyes to an exciting and dynamic profession. She taught her that it’s never too late, and you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. As the newest president of African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA), Pumla is hoping to convey the same message to a new generation of women.
Pumla’s involvement with AWCA stretches almost as far back as her time within the profession. ‘I joined when I was completing my articles, when my mother – who was an inaugural board member – told me about this initiative she had become part of to uplift women in the field. At around the same time, my mentor, Sindi Mabaso-Koyana, invited me to attend a Board 2 workshop the association was hosting, to help people writing their board exams. I was hooked from the moment I took part.’
Pumla loved the idea of a sisterhood that was dedicated to supporting each other, but which also allowed each individual to develop their skills at their own pace. Eager to give back to her new community, she joined a number of sub-committees.
Meanwhile, Pumla was also steadily finding her niche in the field. Articles at KPMG had given way to a stint at the company’s Nigerian office, which not only opened her eyes to new ways of doing things, but also ignited her curiosity and passion for travel.
On her return to South Africa, Pumla took up a post on RMB’s fixed income and commodities space, which opened the door for her entry into investment industry and her current position as Investor Relations Executive at Value Capital Partners.
Growing off a strong base
Pumla’s professional trajectory has been mirrored by her trajectory through AWCA, where she took up the reins as president in January this year. What is she hoping to bring to the organisation? “
‘I have a consensus driven leadership style, so although I lead from the front, I will always ask the views of my team and ensure they feel heard before making a decision. It’s important to me that everyone feels they are part of AWCA, and that their voice matters.’ Pumla’s years as an AWCA member mean that she has a wealth of institutional knowledge. ‘I’m trying to articulate my legacy, but I want to ensure that it is sustainable beyond my time as president. I want my leadership to be about creating a place where women feel supported. Over the years, we’ve gained a reputation for being the custodian of women’s voices in the profession, and I want that to continue. I see our organisation as something of a Big Sister, helping our members become the best version of themselves.’
Right now, one of Pumla’s focus areas is ensuring that the association’s ethics and governance are sound; ‘that we have strong roots that can support our growth’. She’s also reviewing the programmes currently in place to ensure they support the organisation’s mandate and speak to its intended impact. To this end, certain adjustments have been made: for example, the organisation has relaunched its Board Leadership Course to upskill members who are interested in adding value as board members and confirming that the right funding and collaborators are in place to ensure its sustainability. The Leadership Course for Women in the Public Sector is also getting special attention, as it upholds the legacy of Tsakani Maluleke, South Africa’s first female Auditor-General, and Pumla is proud that this year has seen the first cohort graduate from the programme. The organisation has, moreover, garnered financial support from FASSETT, the AGSA and Duke Corporate Education to launch an alumni network, while also extending the association’s reach with the revival of AWCA Western Cape and the launch of an Eastern Cape chapter. Finally, one of the association’s most interesting undertakings – still in its infancy – sees it exploring how it can support boy children. This is crucial, Pumla says, because while the interventions to empower girl children are bearing fruit, we cannot leave boys behind. ‘Society can thrive only if we all rise together,’ she says.
In the meantime, she is excited that word of the association’s purpose is being carried forward – and not only by members. Paula Armstrong, a deputy station manager at NSRI Table Bay, has pledged to raise R500 000 for AWCA’s bursary fund by swimming the English Channel. This is all the more meaningful because Paula first heard of the association when she attended one of its initiatives earlier this year and was so impressed by its work that she undertook this unique project to support it.
Supporting women around the continent
If Paula’s initiative is a great example of how women can support each other, Pumla’s participation in discussions around the G20 is another. She says that the event has provided excellent opportunities for networking with other women from around the continent, and it’s been highly beneficial to discuss common issues like financial inclusion. What’s left now is to establish an action group to ensure that the outcomes of these discussions are executed – an eventuality Pumla looks forward to.
Looking forward
Clearly, Pumla is looking forward to growing other women in the profession. But what of her own career? ‘I thoroughly enjoy the investment space, but I make a habit of asking whether my career is playing the role I want it to, because there are other competing needs. It’s really about becoming the best professional I can be and achieving self-mastery.’
Diligence, discipline and character
As mother to five-year-old Owami, Pumla keeps a keen eye to what the future might hold for females. What is her advice to the next generation of women? ‘Tomorrow’s generation is growing up in a world that’s very different to the one I grew up in. AI is one of the key features of this world, and while it’s a wonderful tool which we are eager to explore in order to improve our world – which is a worthy goal – we can’t lose sight of the things that make us human: diligence, discipline and character. These are qualities you will always need, and which will go a long way to help you travel an often-laborious road.’
Author
Lisa Witepski
